19/10/2026
This flower is known by the Sanskrit name ‘Manjushaka’, and is written in Chinese characters as ‘曼珠沙華’.
In the Buddhist scripture *Lotus Sutra*, it came to be known by this name because it was likened to the image of the *manjūṣaka* flowers falling from the heavens whilst Shakyamuni was delivering his sermon.
In Japan, it is often called *Higanbana* (Equinox Flower), and in English it is sometimes referred to as the ‘spider lily’, but I prefer this Sanskrit name, which conveys a sense of purity and suppleness.
